Abbott fires up burqa debate

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has used the dying days of the campaign to reignite a national debate on the burqa, while defending the controversial Liberal candidate in the Treasurer's seat of McMahon.

In making comments about the practice of Muslim women covering their head and face, Mr Abbott said the burqa was "a very confronting attire".

"Frankly, it's not the sort of attire that I would like to see widespread in our streets," he told reporters in Rockhampton on Saturday.